Alcohol consumption affects physical health, leading to liver damage, heart disease, and increased risk of cancer. It impairs cognitive functions, contributing to accidents, impaired judgment, and addiction.
But, are you aware of how certain medicines react when mixed with alcohol? According to experts, when you mix alcohol with medicines, it can increase the effects of the alcohol or the alcohol can increase the side-effects of the drug. In certain cases, it can also result in new side effects.
For instance, mixing alcohol with the ADHD medicine Ritali can increase the drug’s effect on the heart, increasing your heart rate and the risk of a heart attack.
Combining alcohol with ibuprofen can lead to a higher risk of stomach upsets and stomach bleeds.
According to a report by Science Alert, alcohol can increase the break-down of certain medicines, such as opioids, cannabis, seizures, and even ritalin. This can make the medicine less effective. Alcohol can also potentially create toxic chemicals that can cause serious liver complications. This is a particular problem with paracetamol.
In worst case scenario, the consequences of mixing alcohol and medicines can be fatal. Those most at risk of an interaction are older people, women and people with a smaller body size.
The most common alcohol-interacting prescription medicines are benzodiazepines (for anxiety, insomnia, or seizures), opioids for pain, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some antibiotics, like metronidazole and tinidazole.